• CABRINI COLLEGE, RADNOR, PA.
December 11, 1973
EnergyCrisis
Forecast • •
•
Out in the Cold
by Carol Mele
Joe Silvestrini, Mary Beth Senkewicz
CabriniElectsFirst Male SGAPresident by Mary Lynn Carone November 1973 was a time of political upheaval, the likes of which have not been seen in recent years, and Cabrini's elections were no exception. After what was probably the most heated and closest election in Cabrini's history, the party of Joe Silvestrini and Marybeth Senkewicz emerged as the victor. Why is this such an amazing occurrence? Because not only is it unusual to have a non-resident president, but Joe is also the first male president of SGA. I asked Joe ifhe felt that being a boy, he could truly represent the interests of a primarily female student body. His reply was that most of the problems at Cabrini pertain to everyone and are "not regimented toward one sex. That 's why I think it worked out so great with a day-hop/resident, boy/girl type thing." Joe's running-mate, Marybeth, agrees that sex should make no difference in determining Joe's effectiveness as SGA's leader . "We're all students, she pointed out, and claimed that the fact that Joe is a boy and the vast majority of Cabrini is female is "not a factor at all." Joe also emphasized that his entire executive board is representative of all parts of the student body, and even though he himself is a non-resident, Marybeth and other executive board members will be more than able to keep him informed on residential affairs. Joe remarked that living at home and enjoying its freedom helps him to emphathize with the residents; that he has no difficulty in understanding their problems. He intends to spend more time on campus next semester, and Marybeth also insists that she will "keep him informed." There has been a good deal of conversation around campus concerning the appropriateness of Marybeth in representing the "typical" Cabrini student. Some students are skeptical of her methods of dealing with ad-
ministration and particularly the Board of Trustees. Marybeth being the "radical" that she is, quite a few students seem wary of her ability to exercise diplomacy or discretion with her "elders." The new president was very positive in reply to such criticism. He first stated that he was very pleased with how Marybeth handled herself during the campaign and that he has no qualms about her ability to work with other people. He especially is impressed that Marybeth is a person with "good, strong, liberal ideas" and the "courage of her convictions. If she believes that something is right and she believes she's representing the kids, she'll go through it to the end." Joe feels this is terribly important at this time of redefining SGA power because neither he nor Marybeth want to let the restructuring "get lost in midstream" and such perseverance on both their parts will insure that it does not. Joe further emphasized the fact that "too many people are losing sight of who's president and who's vice-president." He is completely convinced that he and Marybeth will be able to work together effectively and that working side by side will be representative of total student interests. As far as methods of dealing with the administration or the Board of Trustees, Joe said that he foresees no quick solution to SGA's or Cabrini 's problems, and that if changes must then come gradually, proposals will be modified so that at least part of a proposal may be accepted. He stated that SGA would work for a part if it is unable to get the whole, rather than abandon an issue entirely. SGA _does not intend to "demand" anything, rather, they will propose or recommend. SGA's role is still in the process of being studied, and it will probably be linked with the Coun(Continued on page 3)
Now that a seasonable chill has descended upon Cabrini's campus, students, faculty and administration are literally feeling the effects of what is known as "energy crisis." The forecast is for cooler temperatures and a dimmer view, as heating and lighting, two primary energy-consumption areas, are cut in classrooms and dormitories, as well as the library . It is all part of a voluntary effort by the college community to conserve energy during the current nationwide crisis . According to Mrs. Gough , Cabrini's head librarian, the amount of lighting in the library has been cut by about fifty percent . This, she states, is achieved by eliminating lighting over the stacks, while maintaining adequate lighting over reading areas. Mrs . Gough also stated that the heat has been reduced and the temperature in the library has been maintained at a constant sixty-eight degrees. What feels like colder temperatures during weekends, Mrs. Gough at tributes fewer occupants and less activity in the library during the weekends than during the weekdays. How are Cabrini residents weathering the crisis? Mary Beth Senkewicz, a resident of Grace Hall, said that she definitely feels the effect of less heat in the dorms . "It is much colder at night," she stated, although, "I gave up my electric blanket . " Referring to the response of other student residents to the energy shortage, Mary Beth stated that, "They are more conscious of it. Kids turn off hall lights and lights in the Blue Room, whereas before they could be left on all night." With regard to conservation of heat energy, Cabrini's policy of cooperation may well prove to be, in effect, a policy of selfpreservation. All of the campus facilities have been heated by oil from Sun Oil Company . Now, regulated consumption of fuel oil has become crucial for the individual and commercial consumer since Tuesday, November 27, when President Nixon signed into law the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973. According to the New York Times (November 28), the Act "requires the President to establish within 30 days supplymanagement, or allocation, programs for crude oil and all refinery products to make sure that the fuel shortage doesn't fall with unfair severity on any region or on 'independent' refiners and distributors not affiliated with major oil companies." In the same issue the N.Y . Times also stated that "Herbert Stein, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors told the
Energy Emergency Action Group that the impact of the shortage would be 'quite modest' if the Government was successful in its attempt to maintain fuel supplies to industry and make individual and commercial consumers carry most of the burden." These statements appear to corroborate President Nixon's address of November 25, in which he stated that plans for allocating reduced quantities of heating oil this winter "will call for an average reduction of 10 percent of heating oil for industrial use, 15 percent for home use and 25 percent for commercial use." Addressing himself to consumers of heating oil, the President further suggested that the thermostat be lowered by six degrees below its normal setting so th at a national daytime average of sixty-eight degrees can be achieved. "Those who fa_ilto adopt such a cutback," the President stated, "risk running out of fuel before the winter is over.'' Mr . Isadore E. Axler, Cabrini's Vice-president for Business and Finance, said that he is setting
Cabrini's policy to conform to whatever he has been hearing in the news. "I want to cooperate and keep the school going," he stated; since Cabrini "is tied in with oil and gasoline more than with electricity , if we use up too much we will have to close." Concerning Cabrini 's allocation of oil and gasoline from Sun Oil , Mr . Axler stated that he has yet to receive any official information. He stated th at he is doubtful as to which of the three classifications (industrial, residential, commercial) Cabrini falls under, since it is an institution which includes residence facilities. He suggested th at there may be a special subcategory for schools. Thus far, according to Mr. Axler, the colleg e's main effort at conserving its supply of fuel oil has been to comply with the President's recommendation and adjust the heating system to six degrees below the normal temperature setting. During a recent warm spell the library and Sacred Heart Hall were kept a absolute minimal heating, Mr. Axler stated.
An Interviewwith JoanneMirra
Looking Back by Beth Schweitzer
Redefining the structure of SGA, vital meetings, clocks and open dorms - these are just a few of the issues and answers Cabrini College's SGA president Joanne Mirra has been concerned with for the past year. As we sat in Joanne's dorm room it was evident by her attitude and concern for SGA that even though her term of office will soon end, SGA will always be important to her. The following was the result of the interview with President Joanne Mirra: Beth: What do you feel was your
most significant achievement while in office? Joanne: The initiation of the restructure and redefinition of the present SGA. I must say that the reconstruction of SGA is not as vital as defining SGA in relationship to the other decision making bodies at Cabrini College. Beth: Why do you feel this is significant? Joanne: This issue not only affects the students but faculty, administration and Board of Trustees. Beth: How does it affect them?
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